With another early fire season already underway and record dry conditions across the state, Governor Brown will also join fire and emergency officials today at a news conference to discuss the state's ongoing firefighting efforts and urge Californians to get prepared.

PROCLAMATION

Wildfires are a natural, periodic occurrence in California. Many native species depend on cyclical fires for survival. Unfortunately, this natural process often conflicts with human land use, and careless or malicious human activity causes many fires that would not have occurred naturally. In order to continue to enjoy the economic and recreational benefits of our wilderness lands, we must strive to achieve a balance between California’s fire ecology and the need to protect human life and property.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has already responded to a 120% increase in wildfires this year caused by drought conditions. The men and women of CAL FIRE have answered the call for more than 1,200 wildfires since January 1, 2014 and stand prepared to continue their aggressive response through what is expected to be a long and dangerous fire season.

Firefighting alone cannot protect us, and every citizen, especially those living in fire-prone areas, has an important role in preventing loss of life and property from wildfire events. This week, we should all do our part to raise public awareness of the fire season that is already upon us, and take steps to protect lives, homes and families in the event of a wildfire.

In conjunction with Wildfire Awareness Week, CAL FIRE has launched a campaign to educate homeowners on the steps they should take to prepare themselves for wildfire. This potentially lifesaving information can be found at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 4-10, 2014 as “Wildfire Awareness Week.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 2nd day of May 2014.